Stupendous Rafael Nadal bags 11th French Open title
What's the story
Rafael Nadal showed why he is the 'King of Clay' after brushing aside Dominic Thiem to clinch his record-extending 11th French Open title and a 17th Grand slam in total. Rafa beat Thiem in straight sets to defend the French Open at Roland Garros. He surged past his opponent in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win. Here is more about Rafa's scintillating victory.
Momentum
Rafa had momentum from the start
Rafa kept his momentum and shape right from the beginning and did not allow Thiem to gain control at any point during the match. Thiem needs to be credited for keeping himself alive early on, but once Rafa gained inroads, he was unstoppable. He clinched the first set 6-4, before showing his authority by going 3-0 up in the 2nd and winning 6-3.
Information
Nadal breaks Thiem early in 3rd set
In the third set, Rafa broke Thiem's service once again and got the early advantage. There was an injury scare for Rafa with a cramp on his left hand, but he regained shape to win the game 3-1 and then the set.
Stats
Nadal gets his 11th French Open in style
Rafa is the only player, after Roger Federer, to reach the final of the same Slam eleven times. And now, Nadal has won all of his 11 French Open finals. He won the first title here in 2005. The player has lost only 2 out of 88 matches in French Open. He has the maximum number of titles (11) in a single Grand Slam.
Domination
Rafa's domination in Slams continue
With this win, Nadal notched his 17th Grand Slam title. Only Federer has more, with 20 under his belt. Nadal is the third men's player to win a Slam title in his teens, 20s and 30s. The last six Slams have been won either by Federer or Nadal. Both have won three Slams each since the start of 2017.